Snorkel and diving mask system

ABSTRACT

A snorkel and diving mask is disclosed comprising a faceplate having a lateral partition on an interior surface delineating an upper and lower section, the lower section comprising a region that extends away from the upper section and includes a cutout section fitted with a complementary-shaped flexible insert that enables a user to grasp the nose. The faceplate further includes a snorkel coupling having a passageway contained therein. The snorkel and diving mask further includes a tubular interface sleeve which fluidly connects the snorkel coupling passageway to a mouthpiece receiver tube of a conventional second stage scuba regulator.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/789,717, filed on Oct. 20, 2017.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a diving mask used for snorkeling and scuba diving, and more particularly, to an improved full-face snorkel and scuba diving mask that allows both mouth and nasal breathing.

Description of Related Art

Snorkeling allows observation of marine life while swimming on the surface of the water or at moderate depths. When snorkeling, in order to prevent water getting into the eyes, ears and mouth, most divers use a snorkel mask. Snorkeling masks have long been popular for providing a simple and cheap way to see underwater clearly when swimming. Typically, snorkeling masks comprise a face mask for viewing and a snorkel device for breathing. One drawback of conventional snorkeling masks is that they typically offer a limited field of view. Another shortcoming of conventional snorkeling masks is its fixed-shape silicon frame, which is not always suited to the different face contours of different users. When a silicone frame does not match the contours of a diver's face, water leakage often occurs resulting in water entering the interior of the diver's mask, negatively affecting its normal use. Still another drawback of the conventional snorkel device is that the breathing tube fits in the mouth so that the diver can only breathe through the mouth.

More recently, full-face snorkeling masks incorporating a snorkel device and offering improved visibility and the ability to breathe through the nose and mouth ha begun to appear in the marketplace. One such example is disclosed in U.S. Publ. 2016/0297505 to Caprice et al. This mask includes a faceplate surrounded by a hollow frame assembly; a flexible skirt mounted on the frame assembly, the flexible skirt having a sealing lip about its inner periphery and comprising a lateral partition delimiting an upper chamber and a lower chamber, the partition being arranged to bear upon the top of a user's nose when the mask is worn by the user so that the user's mouth and nose are positioned within the lower chamber, the partition having at least one passageway arranged to allow circulation of air from the upper chamber to the lower chamber during an inhalation phase; a conduit having an inlet channel enabling entry of ambient air and a first escape channel enabling exit of exhaust air, the conduit being configured on the exterior of the mask's upper and lower chambers and extending at an upper part of the hollow frame assembly, the inlet channel being in fluid communication with the upper chamber, and the first escape channel being in fluid communication with the lower chamber, the hollow frame assembly comprising at least one air duct; the air duct having an upper end opening into the first escape channel, and a lower end opening into the lower chamber.

While an improvement on the prior art snorkel masks, the mask disclosed in the Caprice et al. '505 reference still has a number of deficiencies. For example, the hollow frame assembly configured about the outer periphery of the mask is excessively large and bulky due to its incorporation of a complex system of breathing conduits and a snorkel coupling sleeve. In addition, the flexible skirt comprises a peripheral sealing lip constructed of a single silicone layer that is arranged to bear against the user's face so as to prevent water from entering between the user's face and the faceplate. However, since it is a single layer, the sealing lip is susceptible to not matching the contours of a diver's face causing leakage in the mask. In addition, because the lower portion of the mask disclosed in the Caprice et al. '505 reference is entirely enclosed behind the rigid faceplate, a user is unable to readily pinch his nose to clear his ears (i.e., equalize the pressure between ears and sinuses) when diving to depths, without having to remove the mask. The inability to perform the valsalva procedure while wearing the Caprice mask would cause a user to experience pain and discomfort due to water pressure when they are snorkeling in water of any depth.

Therefore, it is an objective of the invention to provide a full-faced snorkel and diving mask to mitigate and/or obviate the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes many of the aforementioned disadvantages of prior art by providing a full-face snorkeling and diving mask with superior sealing qualities that is more streamlined and efficient. The individual parts of the mask of the present invention are preferably fused together using injection molding techniques to create a unitary mask body. The improved mask includes a faceplate that incorporates a lateral partition on the interior surface that delineates an upper section from a lower section. A snorkel coupling and passageway is also incorporated into the upper portion of the faceplate. While the upper portion of the faceplate includes a transparent lens section, the lower portion includes a region that extends away from the transparent lens section and features a cutout having a flexible insert installed therein which allows the user to readily squeeze the nose when necessary to equalized pressure on the eardrums. The faceplate may also comprise a drainage or purge valve arranged in the lower or breathing chamber to evacuate liquid to outside the mask. The faceplate also incorporates two or more buckle devices for attaching elastic retention straps to the mask.

The faceplate includes a flange that is formed along the entire outer periphery or rim of the faceplate. The flange is used as a bonding surface to mount and bond the faceplate to a rigid frame configured about the entire periphery of the faceplate. The rigid frame provides structural support to the faceplate while remaining contained within the circumference of the outer periphery of the faceplate. Preferably, the rigid frame is permanently bonded to the flange of the faceplate.

The mask of the present invention further includes a flexible annular sidewall element or skirt that is affixed to the rigid frame. The flexible annular skirt is hollow and filled with a gas or other cushioning substance so as to seal the mask to the diver's face while providing a comfortable, ergonomic and waterproof interface with the diver's face. The flexible sealing skirt also includes a lateral nose piece section, attached to the partition of the faceplate, which effectively seals off the upper chamber from the lower chamber when the mask is worn. The lateral nose piece section includes a barrier wall section that is attached to the partition. The lateral nose piece is formed or sculpted so as come in sealing contact with the user's face in the nasal region just above the user's nose.

The barrier wall section of the lateral nose piece section includes at least one aperture, which allows inhaled air from the snorkel device to travel through the upper chamber to the lower chamber. Each aperture also comprises a check valve device which allows the circulation of inhaled directed through each aperture solely from the upper chamber towards the lower chamber during an inhalation phase by the user. By means of the check valve device, the aperture is closed off during an exhalation phase preventing the flow of exhaled air from rising back into the upper chamber, thereby improving the efficacy of the anti-fogging system of the mask. In a preferred embodiment, the barrier wall section of the lateral nose piece section includes two apertures with matching check valve devices.

The barrier wall section of the lateral nose piece section further includes at least one orifice through which an exhalation conduit extends from the lower chamber to the snorkel device forming a passageway for exhaled air to pass through the upper chamber to the snorkel device. The passageway allows warm, humid air exhaled by the user to be efficiently exhausted though the snorkel without fogging up the transparent lens of the mask. In a preferred embodiment, the lateral nose piece section includes two orifices and matching conduits.

In one embodiment, a snorkel device is connected via a snorkel coupling formed in the upper portion of the faceplate. The snorkel device has a ventilation system that provides an air pathway into and out of the mask. In a preferred embodiment, the snorkel device comprises an elongated body which slidably couples to the snorkel coupling on one end and comprises an air-permeable enclosure on the distal end. The elongated body encloses an air passageway which fluidly connects a passageway in the snorkel coupling with the airway inlet near the distal end of the snorkel device.

In a preferred embodiment, the snorkel device provides separate pathways for inhaled and exhaled air. The snorkel device may have a distal end having an air-permeable enclosure. The snorkel device further comprises a shut-off device that is mobile within the enclosure so that when the snorkel is submerged in water the shut-off device is caused to move and close the inlet to the air passageway in the snorkel. Nonetheless, the snorkel device is constructed so that when the user exhales air while under water the inlet may be momentarily forced open to exhaust the air.

When the snorkel device is out of the water, the shut-off device does not cover the inlet to the air passageway in the snorkel allowing fresh air be inhaled through the air passageway and into the mask via the upper chamber through the aperture and into the lower chamber.

In a preferred embodiment, the snorkel device is removable from the snorkel coupling formed in the upper portion of the faceplate. With the snorkel device removed, the mask may be quickly and easily converted into a scuba mask embodiment by connecting a conventional 2^(nd) stage scuba regulator to the snorkel coupling using a tubular interface sleeve that is preferably flexible and elastic. One end of the tubular interface sleeve is dimensioned to fit snuggly onto the outer periphery of the snorkel coupling end while the opposing end is dimensioned to fit and seal onto the mouthpiece receiver of a conventional 2^(nd) stage regulator. The tubular interface sleeve forms a watertight connection between the conventional 2^(nd) stage scuba regulator and the snorkel coupling that fluidly connects the air inlet and exhaust passageways of the mask with the mouthpiece receiver of the regulator.

The scuba enabled embodiment of the mask works essentially the same as with a snorkel device attached, however, when a user exhales the exhaust air travels up and out of the exhaust passageways of the mask and on through the exhaust valve of the conventional 2^(nd) stage scuba regulator where it is preferably vented out of an exhaust tee deflector device. Similarly, during an inhalation process the user creates a slight vacuum pressure in the air inlet passageways of the mask, which triggers the air supply demand valve of the conventional 2^(nd) stage scuba regulator to supply air. The air supplied by the scuba regulator flows through the mouthpiece receiver and into the air inlet passageways of the mask. A wide variety of conventional 2^(nd) stage scuba regulators may be used with the scuba enabled embodiment of the mask.

The flexible hollow skirt and the flexible insert configured in the faceplate may be made of silicone while the frame and faceplate may be made of rigid plastic such as polypropylene or polycarbonate. The arrangement is advantageous since it allows a mask to be manufactured using a minimum number of parts. Preferably the parts are fused together using injection molding techniques to create a unitary mask body.

The mask of the present invention may also comprise an elastic retention strap which extends between two or more buckle devices incorporated into the faceplate of the mask. In a preferred embodiment, the mask includes two buckle devices extending from the upper portion of the faceplate and two buckle devices extending from the lower portion of the faceplate

In a preferred embodiment, the elastic retention strap may comprise two elastic retention straps bonded together in the center of both straps. The elastic strap is therefore X-shaped making it possible to cover the rear part of the user's head, thereby providing stable maintaining of the mask on the user's head. A first elastic retention strap having one end attached to a buckle device extending from the upper portion of a first side of the faceplate and a second end attached to a buckle device extending from the lower portion of a first side of the faceplate. A second elastic retention strap having one end attached to a buckle device extending from the upper portion of a second side of the faceplate and a second end attached to a buckle device extending from the lower portion of a second side of the faceplate. This preferred embodiment facilitates the mounting operation of the elastic strap and the holding in place thereof in relation to the mask.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TILE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the apparatus of the present invention may be had by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the snorkel and diving mask of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the snorkel and diving mask in FIG. 1 with the elastic restraining straps removed;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the snorkel and diving mask in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the snorkel and diving mask in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the snorkel and diving mask in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the snorkel and diving mask in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7A illustrates the inhale air circuit of the snorkel and diving mask of the present invention;

FIG. 7B illustrates the exhale air circuit of the snorkel and diving mask of the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a front perspective view of a second embodiment of the snorkel and diving mask of the present invention incorporating a scuba breathing system for underwater diving;

FIG. 9 is an exploded, close-up view of the embodiment of the mask shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10A is a front elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the tubular interface sleeve of the embodiment of the mask shown in FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10B is an end view of the tubular interface sleeve shown in FIG. 10A.

Where used in the various figures of the drawing, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms “top,” “bottom,” “first,” “second,” “upper,” “lower,” “height,” “width,” “length,” “end,” “side,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” and similar terms are used herein, it should be understood that these terms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawing and are utilized only to facilitate describing the invention.

All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings of the present invention only; the extensions of the figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form the preferred embodiment will be explained or will be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional. proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 depicts an example of an embodiment of a full-faced snorkel mask 100 conforming to embodiments of the present disclosure. With reference now to the Figures, and in particular, FIGS. 1-6, the snorkel mask 100 comprises a faceplate 10 affixed to a rigid frame 30, which in turn is sandwiched between the faceplate 10 and a flexible annular sidewall element or skirt 50.

The of the faceplate body 10 includes a lateral partition 20 on the interior side of the faceplate 10 that delineates an upper chamber 22 from a lower or breathing chamber 24. As will be understood with reference to FIG. 4, the user's mouth and nose are positioned in the lower chamber 24, whereas the user's eyes are positioned in the upper chamber 22. A snorkel coupling 26 is also incorporated into the upper portion 14 of the faceplate 10. The snorkel coupling 26 includes a passageway 27 that fluidly connects the upper chamber 22 to a snorkel device 40. The upper portion 14 of the faceplate 10 includes a transparent lens section 12, while the lower portion 16 of the faceplate 10 includes a region 5 that extends away from the transparent lens section 12 and includes a cutout or opening 6 positioned about the user's mouth and nasal region when worn. A flexible waterproof insert 8 is installed in the cutout opening 6 that allows the user to readily squeeze the user's nose when necessary to equalized pressure on the eardrums. The insert 8 includes an outer peripheral edge or rim 8 a that is complementary to the shape and dimension to the cutout opening 6 in the faceplate 10. The insert 8 is bonded to the cutout opening 6 along the outer peripheral edge or rim 8 a with a waterproof seal. The insert may also include thin-walled recessed portions 8 b and a thin-walled bulbous nose section 8 c, which enables a user's to perform the Valsalva maneuver with their hands by grabbing the nose through the thin-walled bulbous nose section 8 c. While the preferred embodiment shown in the Figures comprises a generally triangular shaped cutout opening 6 and insert 8, it is understood that they could conceivably be of any complementary geometric shape.

The faceplate 10 also incorporates two or more buckle devices 2 for attaching an elastic retention strap 70 to the mask. The faceplate 10 may also comprise a drainage or purge valve 4 configured in the lower portion 16 of the faceplate 10 and arranged to evacuate liquid from the lower or breathing chamber 24 to outside the mask 100. Water contained in the lower chamber 16 can be expelled to outside the mask 100 via the purge valve 4 by means of sharp exhalation.

A flange 17 is formed along the e outer periphery or rim 18 of the faceplate 10. The flange 17 is used as a bonding surface to affix the faceplate 10 to a rigid oblong-shaped frame 30 configured about the entire periphery of the flange 17 of the faceplate 10. The rigid frame 30 provides structural support to the faceplate 10 while remaining contained within the circumference of the outer periphery 18 of the faceplate 10. Preferably, the rigid frame 10 is permanently bonded to the outer periphery flange 17 of the faceplate 10.

The mask 100 of the present invention further includes a flexible annular sidewall element or skirt 50 that is affixed to the rigid frame 30. The flexible annular skirt 50 is hollow and filled with a gas or other cushioning substance so as to seal the mask to the diver's face while providing a comfortable, ergonomic and waterproof interface with the diver's face. Preferably, the flexible annular skirt 50 is filled with air or a gel material. The flexible annular skirt 50 is of general oblong annular shape having substantially the same circumferential dimensions as faceplate 10 and the frame 30.

The flexible sealing skirt 50 also includes a lateral nose piece section 54 attached to the partition 20 of the faceplate 10. The lateral nose piece section 54 effectively seals off at the partition 20 the upper chamber 22 from the lower chamber 24 when the mask 100 is worn. The lateral nose piece section 54 includes barrier wall section 56 that is preferably flexible, and fixably attached and bonded to the partition 20. The lateral nose piece 54 is formed or sculpted so as come in sealing contact with the user's face in the nasal region just above the user's nose.

The barrier wall section 56 is of the lateral nose piece section 54 includes at least one intake aperture 55, which allows air to be inhaled from the snorkel device 40. The inhaled air from the snorkel device 40 enters the mask 100 via the passageway 27 formed the snorkel coupling 26 and travels through the upper chamber 22 to the lower chamber 24 through the intake aperture 55. Each intake aperture 55 in the lateral nose piece section 54 also comprises a check valve device 59 which controls the flow of inhaled air directed through each intake aperture 55 solely from the upper chamber 22 towards the lower chamber 24 during an inhalation phase by the user. By means of the check valve device 59, the intake aperture 55 is sealed during an exhalation phase by the user preventing the flow of exhaled air from rising back into the upper chamber 22, thereby improving the effectiveness of the anti-fogging system of the mask 100. In a preferred embodiment, the barrier wall section 56 of the lateral nose piece section 54 includes two intake apertures 55 and matching check valve devices 59.

The barrier wall section 56 of the lateral nose piece section 54 further includes at least one exhaust orifice 58 through which an exhaust conduit 60 extends from the lower chamber 24 through the upper chamber 22 and to the passageway 27 contained in the snorkel coupling 26 forming an enclosed passageway for exhaled air to pass through the upper chamber 22 to the snorkel device 40. The enclosed passageway 60 allows warm, humid air exhaled by the user to be efficiently exhausted though the snorkel device 40 without fogging up the transparent lens section 12 of the mask 100. As shown in the Figures, and particularly FIG. 4, the exhaust conduit 60 is configured about the inner periphery of the upper chamber 22 adjacent to the flexible annular sidewall element 50. The lower end 62 of the enclosed passageway 60 is sealed within the exhaust orifice 58 of the barrier wall section 56, while the upper end 64 is configured within the passageway 27 of the snorkel coupling 26. In a preferred embodiment depicted in the Figures, the barrier wall section 56 of the lateral nose piece section 54 includes two exhaust orifices 58 and matching exhaust conduits/enclosed passageways 60.

The flexible annular skirt 50 may also include a valve device 53 for varying the amount of cushioning substance in the hollow annular skirt 50. For example, the valve device 53 could be a simple air valve for increasing or decreasing the amount of air contained in the hollow annular skirt 50. The hollow annular skirt 50 may further include a chin guard 51 configured at the bottom of the mask 100. As depicted in FIGS. 2 and 6, the chin guard 51 extends towards the back of the mask providing protection for the user's chin and assisting in maintaining the proper alignment and positioning of the mask on the user's face.

A snorkel device 40 is connected via the snorkel coupling 26 formed in the upper portion 14 of the faceplate 10. The snorkel device 40 may include a ventilation system that provides an air pathway into and out of the mask 100. In a preferred embodiment, the snorkel device 40 comprises an elongated body 44, which slidably couples to the snorkel coupling 26 on one end 42, and includes an air-permeable enclosure 48 on the distal end. The elongated body 44 encloses an air passageway 45 which fluidly connects a passageway 27 in the snorkel coupling 26 with the airway inlet 43 near the distal end 46 of the snorkel device 40.

The snorkel device 40 may have a distal end 46 having an air-permeable enclosure 48 containing an air inlet 43. The snorkel device 40 may further comprise a shut-off device that is mobile within the enclosure so that when the snorkel device 40 is submerged in water the shut-off device is caused to move and close the inlet to the air passageway 45 in the snorkel device 40. Nonetheless, the snorkel device 40 is constructed so that when a user exhales air while under water the inlet 43 may be momentarily forced open to exhaust the air.

When the snorkel device 40 is out of the water, the shut-off device does not cover the inlet to the air passageway 45 in the snorkel 40 allowing fresh air be inhaled through the air passageway 45 and into the upper chamber 22 of the mask 100, through the intake apertures 55 and past check valve 59 into the lower chamber 24. In a preferred embodiment, the snorkel device 40 is detachable from the snorkel coupling 26 formed in the upper portion 14 of the faceplate 10.

As shown in FIG. 7A, during the inhalation cycle fresh air 80 enters through the airway inlet 43 near the distal end 46 of the snorkel device 40 device and proceeds through the air passageway 45 to the passageway 27 of the snorkel coupling 26, into the upper chamber 22, through the aperture 55 in the barrier wall section 56 and into the lower chamber 24 of the mask 100. As shown in FIG. 7B, during the exhalation cycle the check valve 59 of aperture 55 automatically seals forcing the exhaled air 82 to proceed up and through the enclosed passageway of the exhaust conduit 60 to the passageway 27 of the snorkel coupling 26, and onto the air passageway 45 of the snorkel device 40 where it exhausts out of the airway inlet 43 near the distal end 46 of the snorkel device 40.

In a preferred embodiment, the snorkel coupling 26 and the snorkel device 40 provides separate pathways or channels for inhaled and exhaled air. For example, with reference to FIGS. 7A and 713, the air passageway 45 of the snorkel device 40 is divided into inlet 28 and exhaust 29 channels. The inlet 28 and exhaust 29 channels of the snorkel device 40 are properly aligned with corresponding air inlet passageway 27 a and the exhaust air passageways 27 b formed in the passageway 27 of the snorkel coupling 27 formed in the upper portion 14 of the faceplate 10 of the mask 100. As shown in FIG. 7A, the inhalation cycle fresh air 80 enters the snorkel device through the airway inlet 43 near the distal end 46 of the snorkel device 40 device and proceeds through the inlet air channel 45 a to the inlet passageway 27 a of the snorkel coupling 26, into the upper chamber 22, through the aperture 55 in the barrier wall section 56 and into the lower chamber 24 of the mask 100. As shown in FIG. 7B, during the exhalation cycle the check valve 59 of aperture 55 automatically seals forcing the exhaled air 82 to proceed up and through the enclosed passageway of the exhaust conduit 60 to the exhaust air passageway 27 b of the snorkel coupling 26, and onto the exhaust air channel 45 b formed in the passageway 45 of the snorkel device 40 where it is directed to the airway inlet 43 near the distal end 46 of the snorkel device 40.

The flexible hollow skirt 50 and the flexible insert 8 of the faceplate 10 are preferably made of silicone while the frame 30 and faceplate 10 may be made of rigid plastic such as polypropylene or polycarbonate. The arrangement is advantageous since it allows a mask 100 to be manufactured using a minimum number of parts. Preferably the parts are fused together using injection molding techniques to create a unitary ask body.

The mask 100 of the present invention may also comprise an elastic retention strap 70 which extends between the two or more buckle devices 2 incorporated into the faceplate 10 of the mask 100. In a preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the mask 100 includes two buckle devices 2 extending from the upper portion 14 of the faceplate 10 and two buckle devices 2 extending from the lower portion 14 of the faceplate 10.

In a preferred embodiment, the elastic retention strap 70 may comprise two elastic retention straps bonded together in the center of both straps, where each of the straps 70 is attached to a buckles 2 on the same side of the mask and configured on the upper 14 and lower portion 16 of the faceplate 10. For example, a first elastic retention strap 70 having one end attached to a buckle device 2 extending from the upper portion 14 of a first side of the faceplate 10 and a second end attached to a buckle device 2 extending from the lower portion 16 of a first side of the faceplate 10 A second elastic retention strap 70 having one end attached to a buckle device extending from the upper portion of a second side of the faceplate and a second end attached to a buckle device extending from the lower portion of a second side of the faceplate. The configured elastic straps are, therefore, X-shaped making it possible to cover the rear part of the user's head, thereby providing stability while maintaining of the mask snugly on the user's head and face. This preferred embodiment facilitates the mounting operation of the elastic strap and the holding in place thereof in relation to the mask.

Finally, the mask may further include ear buds or earplugs 74 for sealing the user's ears. The earplugs 74 are attached to the mask 100 by means of connecting straps 72 attached to the faceplate 10.

With reference now to Figures, and in particular FIGS. 8 and 9, an alternative embodiment of the diving mask 200 of the present invention is shown which incorporates a conventional 2^(nd) stage scuba (i.e., self-contained underwater breathing apparatus) regulator 84. By detaching the snorkel device 40 from the snorkel coupling 26, the mask may be quickly and easily converted into a scuba mask embodiment 200 by connecting the mouthpiece receiver tube 85 of a conventional 2^(nd) stage scuba regulator 84 to the end 26 a of the snorkel coupling 26 using a tubular interface sleeve 90. Detaching the snorkel device 40 from the snorkel coupling 26 uncovers the snorkel coupling end 26 a and provides access to the passageway 27 contained within the snorkel coupling 26.

The tubular interface sleeve 90 comprises a tubular body 90 a that is preferably flexible, yet firm enough to maintain its shape when configured as a passageway between the snorkel coupling 26 and the conventional 2^(nd) stage scuba regulator 84. An opened first end 92 of the tubular interface sleeve 90 is dimensioned to fit snuggly onto the outer periphery of the snorkel coupling end 26 a while an opposing opened end 94 is dimensioned to fit and seal onto the mouthpiece receiver tube 85 of a conventional 2^(nd) stage regulator 84. The tubular interface sleeve 90 forms a watertight connection between the conventional 2^(nd) stage scuba regulator 84 and the snorkel coupling 26, and fluidly connects the air inlet 27 a and exhaust 27 b passageways of the mask 200 with the mouthpiece receiver tube 85 of the regulator 84.

The scuba enabled embodiment of the mask 200 works essentially the same as previously described snorkel mask 100 (FIG. 1) with a snorkel device attached. However, when a user exhales the exhaust air is directed through the mask, eventually being discharged through the exhaust valve (not shown) in the conventional 2^(nd) stage scuba regulator 84. The exhaust air travels up and out of the mask as depicted in FIG. 7B, however, when the exhaust air reaches the end of the exhaust conduits/enclosed passageways 60 of the mask 200 it is directed through the auxiliary passageway 96 of the tubular interface sleeve 90 to the mouthpiece receiver tube 85 of the conventional 2^(nd) stage scuba regulator 84, and on to the exhaust valve (not shown) of the scuba regulator 84 where it preferably is vented out of an exhaust tee deflector device 88. Similarly, during an inhalation cycle the user creates a slight vacuum pressure in the air inlet passageways 27 a of the mask 200 by breathing in, which triggers the air supply demand valve of the conventional 2^(nd) stage scuba regulator 84 to supply pressurized air via air supply hose 83. The air supply hose 83 connects the regulator 84 to a source of pressurized air (e.g., a portable or stationary pressurized canister/tank or a surface air pump). The pressurized air supplied to the scuba regulator 84 flows to the mouthpiece receiver tube 85, through the auxiliary passageway 96 of the tubular interface sleeve 90 and into the air inlet passageways 27 a of the mask 200.

A wide variety of conventional 2^(nd) stage scuba regulators may be used with the scuba enabled embodiment of the mask. For example, Matsuoka (U.S. Pat. No. 6,718,976) discloses a 2^(nd) stage scuba regulator that is suitable for use in the scuba enabled embodiment of the mask 200 in the present invention. The AQUA LX model 2^(nd) stage regulator has also been successfully utilized with the scuba enabled embodiment of the mask 200 of the present invention. The exhaust tee deflector device 88 of the AQUA LUNG® LX model regulator advantageously rests on top of the user's head when the regulator 84 is properly attached to the snorkel coupling end 26 a of the mask 200 using the flexible elastic tubular interface sleeve 90 as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9.

With reference now to FIGS. 10A and 10B, a preferred embodiment of the tubular interface sleeve 90 is shown. The tubular interface sleeve 90 is preferably made of flexible elastic plastic. The tubular interface sleeve 90 includes a opened first end 92, which is dimensioned to fit snuggly onto the outer periphery of the snorkel coupling end 26 a (FIG. 9), and an opposing opened second end 94, which is dimensioned to fit and seal onto the mouthpiece receiver tube 85 (FIG. 9) of a conventional 2^(nd) stage regulator 84 (FIG. 9). The interior surface 95 of the tubular interface sleeve 90 defines an auxiliary passageway 96, which extends the entire length of the tubular interface sleeve 90.

While the cross-sectional dimension or area of the auxiliary passageway 96 can be held constant over the length of the tubular interface sleeve 90, it is understood that it may vary over the length of the tubular interface sleeve 90. For example, in the preferred embodiment depicted in FIGS. 10A, 10B the cross-sectional dimension or area of the auxiliary passageway 96 at the first end 92 depicted in the Figures is noticeably larger than the cross-sectional dimension or area of the auxiliary passageway 96 at the second end 94.

In addition, while the opened ends 92, 94 of the tubular interface sleeve 90 are depicted in the drawings as being oblong, it is understood that the opened ends 92, 94 may have any cross-sectional shape that is most conducive to connecting and sealing with a particular snorkel coupling end 26 a (FIG. 9) and mouthpiece receiver tube 85 (FIG. 9).

The interior surface 95 of the tubular interface sleeve 90 may include one or more radial projections 91 for securing the seals against the snorkel coupling end 26 a (FIG. 9) and the mouthpiece receiver tube 85 (FIG. 9). The interior surface 95 of the tubular interface sleeve 90 may also include a radial groove formed near the opposing opened second end 94 for seating against a flange 86 (FIG. 9) common on many conventional mouthpiece receiver tubes 85.

The tubular interface sleeve 90 may further include first and second exterior radial channel 98, 97 near opposing ends 92, 94 that are bounded by raised rings 93 The exterior radial channels 98, 97 enhance compression attachment by use of a quick-tie or similar radial fastener.

The tubular interface sleeve 90 forms a watertight connection between the conventional 2^(nd) stage scuba regulator 84 and the snorkel coupling 26 that fluidly connects the air inlet 27 a and exhaust 27 b passageways of the mask 200 with the mouthpiece receiver tube 85 of the regulator 84. Fresh air flows from the regulator 84 to the air inlet passageway 27 a and into the mask 200 during the inhalation cycle and exhaust air flows up and out of the exhaust conduits/enclosed passageways 60 of the mask and on through the exhaust valve (not shown) of the conventional 2^(nd) stage scuba regulator 84 where it is preferably vented out of an exhaust tee deflector device 88 (FIG.

The scuba enabled embodiment of the mask 200 of the present invention provides a first one-way fluid pathway from the air supply hose 83 (FIG. 9) and regulator 84 (FIG. 9) to the diver's mouth and nasal region during inhalation and a second one-way fluid pathway during exhalation from the diver's mouth and nasal region to the exhaust valve (not shown) of a conventional 2^(nd) stage scuba regulator 84 (FIG. 9) where it is preferably vented out of an exhaust tee deflector device 88 (FIG. 9).

Throughout the description, including the claims, the term “comprising a” should be understood as being synonymous with “comprising at least one” unless otherwise stated. In addition, any range set forth in the description, including the claims should be understood as including its end value(s) unless otherwise stated. Specific values for described elements should be understood to be within accepted manufacturing or industry tolerances known to one of skill in the art, and any use of the terms “substantially” and/or “approximately” and/or “generally” should be understood to mean falling within such accepted tolerances.

It will now be evident to those skilled in the art that there has been described herein an improved snorkel mask. Although the invention hereof has been described by way of a preferred embodiment, it will be evident that other adaptations and modifications can be employed without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. The terms and expressions employed herein have been used as terms of description and not of limitation; and thus, there is no intent of excluding equivalents, but on the contrary it is intended to cover any and all equivalents that may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A diving mask comprising: a faceplate having partition delineating an upper and lower section, said upper section comprising a transparent lens section and said lower section comprising a cutout section having a flexible insert, said faceplate having a flange formed along the outer periphery of said faceplate, said upper section having a snorkel coupling defining a passageway; a rigid frame bonded to said flange; a flexible annular skirt fixed to said frame, the skirt being hollow and filled with a cushioning substance, the skirt comprising a lateral nose piece section attached to the partition and forming an upper chamber and a lower chamber, said lateral nose piece having a barrier wall section defining and sealing off the upper chamber from the lower chamber, said lateral nose piece being arranged for bearing upon the top of a user's nose when the mask is worn by the user so that the user's mouth and nose are located in the lower chamber, wherein the barrier wall section includes at least one aperture arranged to allow the movement of air from the upper chamber to the lower chamber during an inhalation phase, the barrier wall section further includes at least one exhaust orifice containing an exhaust conduit extending from the lower chamber through the upper chamber to the snorkel coupling passageway to allow the movement of exhaled air from the lower chamber through the upper chamber to the snorkel coupling passageway during an exhalation phase; and a tubular interface sleeve having a first end attached to said snorkel coupling and a second opposing end dimensioned to connect to a mouthpiece receiver tube of a second stage regulator, said interface sleeve having an auxiliary passageway which fluidly connects said snorkel coupling passageway to said mouthpiece receiver tube.
 2. The snorkel mask of claim 1, wherein the at least one aperture has a matching check valve that opens the aperture during the inhalation cycle and closes the aperture during the exhalation cycle.
 3. The snorkel mask of claim 1, wherein the cushioning substance comprises a gas.
 4. The snorkel mask of claim 1, wherein the cushioning substance comprises a gel material.
 5. The snorkel mask of claim 1, wherein said flexible annular skirt further comprises a valve device for varying the amount of cushioning substance in the hollow annular skirt.
 6. The snorkel mask of claim 1, wherein said faceplate further comprises two or more buckle devices for attaching an elastic retention strap to the mask.
 7. The snorkel mask of claim 1, further comprising two earplugs attached to opposing sides of said mask by connecting straps.
 8. The snorkel mask of claim 1, wherein said at least one aperture comprises two apertures having matching check valves.
 9. The snorkel mask of claim 1, wherein said at least one exhaust orifice comprises two exhaust orifices haying matching exhaust conduits.
 10. The snorkel mask of claim 1, wherein the snorkel coupling passageway includes separate intake and exhaust channels.
 11. The snorkel mask of claim 1, wherein said frame is contained within the circumference of an outer periphery of the faceplate.
 12. The snorkel mask of claim 1, wherein said faceplate and frame are constructed of a rigid plastic and said tubular interface sleeve is made of flexible elastic plastic.
 13. The snorkel mask of claim 13, wherein said rigid plastic comprises polycarbonate.
 14. The snorkel mask of claim 1, wherein said flexible insert and flexible annular skirt are constructed of silicone and said tubular interface sleeve is made of flexible elastic plastic.
 15. A tubular interface sleeve, for converting a snorkel mask to a scuba-enabled mask, comprising: a tubular body defining an auxiliary passageway therethrough, and having a first end and an opposing second end; wherein said first end is dimensioned to connect to a snorkel coupling end and said opposing end is dimensioned to connect to a mouthpiece receiver tube of a second stage scuba regulator; wherein said auxiliary passageway fluidly connects a snorkel coupling passageway of said snorkel mask to said mouthpiece receiver tube of said second stage scuba regulator.
 16. The tubular interface sleeve of claim 15, wherein the cross-sectional area of said auxiliary passageway varies along the length of said tubular interface sleeve,
 15. tubular interface sleeve of claim 15, wherein said tubular interface sleeve is made of flexible elastic plastic.
 18. The tubular interface sleeve of claim 15, wherein said first and second ends are oblong shaped.
 19. The tubular interface sleeve of claim 15, further comprising at least one radial channel formed into the exterior of said tubular interface.
 20. The tubular interface sleeve of claim 15, further comprising a radial groove formed in an interior surface of said auxiliary passageway. 